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Pitt basketball’s top 5 ACC games to mark on your calendar

By Brett Tunno

Dec 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers forward Jamel Artis (1) heads up court on a fast break against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. PITT won 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers forward Jamel Artis (1) heads up court on a fast break against the Syracuse Orange during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. PITT won 72-61. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 19, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) reaches for the net through UCLA Bruins defense during the second half at Barclays Center. North Carolina Tar Heels won 89-76. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 19, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels guard Joel Berry II (2) reaches for the net through UCLA Bruins defense during the second half at Barclays Center. North Carolina Tar Heels won 89-76. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

I think No. 7 North Carolina has the potential to be the best team in the country by the end of the season.  It appears that this year, there is not a dominant team at the top, like Kentucky and Wisconsin were a season ago.

North Carolina essentially returns its entire team, and they are currently 12-2 with wins against No.2 Maryland 89-81, Davidson 98-65, No. 22 UCLA 89-76, and Clemson 80-69.  They lost on the road as the No. 1 team against Northern Iowa 71-67, and at Texas 84-82.  I give credit to UNC for playing true road games, and I hope that the new AD for Pitt will make the non-conference schedule for impressive.

UNC isn’t necessarily a deep team, but they are experienced as all five starters average double figures.  6-foot-9 senior forward Brice Johnson averages 15.3 ppg and 9.6 rpg, senior guard Marcus Paige averages 15 ppg, 6-foot-8 sophomore forward Justin Jackson adds 13.4 ppg, 6-foot-9 junior center Kennedy Meeks 12.3 ppg, and sophomore guard Joel Berry II 12.1 ppg.

I’m considering making the trip to Chapel Hill for a Valentine’s Day treat.  Pitt has played well against the Tar Heels, winning the last two of three contests, including a blowout last year at home and an ACC tournament elimination game.

Next: What Does Fitzgerald Toussaint Bring to the Pittsburgh Steelers?

Of course, other games such as home games against Louisville and Wake Forest and a road contest against Notre Dame just missed the cut.

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